Dana Attocknie, Native American Times

Alonzo Moss Sr. age 72, is an amazing man. He’s a linguist and an accomplished musician. His favorite singer is Johnny Cash. Alonzo was born on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Fort Washakie, Wyo. He then married, made a family, worked several different labor jobs, including a tree feller. In 1970 Alonzo completed his G.E.D., and took a job as teacher’s assistant for Wyoming Indian Schools. Later he began teaching Arapaho language At Wyoming Indian High School.

After teaching there for 20 years, Alonzo Moss Sr. taught the language at at Central Wyoming College, Wind River Tribal College, the University of Colorado – Boulder and the University of Wyoming. 
Because of his hard work, and dedication to teaching, Alonzo Moss Sr. will be honored as the 2010 Indian of the Year for the 79th American Indian Exposition during a reception at the First United Methodist Church of Anadarko.

L. Wabaunasee, the American Indian Exposition president stated,

“He’s really comical. He really impresses people, the way he talks … he just kind of fits in with the crowd. He wasn’t standing high… (and) He likes Johnny Cash.

Moss told the crowd,

“their native language is their identity, it’s who they are..a person’s identity is not defined by having a tribal car tag or anything of the like.
The only thing that’s going to make me Arapaho is if I speak Arapaho,”

A wonderful story about an unusual man. Every one should read it and share their opinion.

Tags: 2010 79th American Indian Exposition Award, Alonzo Moss Sr., Arapaho language, linguist, musician

Donald Bradley, (Kansas City Star) Native American Times

Mioshia Wagoner, also known as “Yosh” is a member of the Navajo community, ready to complete her Master’s degree, and she holds the Olympic silver medal for light-heavyweight boxing!

After receiving her undergraduate degree from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Yosh went to China to compete in the World Championships and brought home the silver medal for Team USA.

In China, she defeated the fighters from Egypt and Romania. The fighter from the host country won the gold (this time).

It is interesting how she became interested in boxing.

She was covering amateur fight night at the Haskell Boxing Club. while working as a reporter for The Haskell college newspaper, The Indian Leader.

For  Yosh, most of the evening was boring until she saw two women fight.
 According to Yosh,

“One was higher-skilled, quicker and, kicked butt.”

After the fight, She spoke to Darren Jacobs a trainer about wanting to box.  Jacobs states,

“[I] wasn’t impressed. She wasn’t the first girl who had seen Million Dollar Baby.
But from the first punch, I knew she was born to fight,…
And now? …She’s fast and hits real hard.”

Ms. Yosh Wagoner is highly intelligent, and cares deeply for her people. She is pretty, and possesses a warm smile. She has also won the Native American Championships for  2007 and 2008.

She’s  the second best fighter in the world,  and she  just might become the first in her division.

This is an inspirational article about a wonderful, strong, and  independent  young woman! We want to hear more about her in the future.

Read the article and share your thoughts.

Tags: Boxing, Haskell Indian Nations University, Mioshia Wagoner, Navajo, Olympics

Kim Baca, Native American Times

Soccer fever is upon us, and for the children of the Pueblo of San Felipe in Albuquerque NM, soccer is the new “rez” ball. It’s interesting to note that soccer was started five years ago in the Pueblo by Notah Begay a professional golfer who grew up in the area.

“… After injuring his back, Begay saw what diabetes and other harmful diseases did to Native people while giving motivational speeches on the reservations.  He decided to start a foundation focusing on decreasing diabetes and obesity in children one starting with his own community.  Begay chose soccer as one of the vehicles because it was a sport he enjoyed playing as a youngster—the game also involves multiple players who have varying skill levels…”

Mike Ansera, a volunteer soccer coach from the Pueblo, and a cousin of Begay, explains that in the beginning, it was challenging to explain the game to the elders of the tribe.

” In the village growing up, it’s always been about baseball, basketball or softball,…Now it’s soccer and it’s become second nature.  No one says, ‘What is soccer?’ Now it’s, ‘Are you going to play soccer?”

There have been positive results since the game began in the small community of San Felipe. The children get much more exercise and lead healthier lives. The children are also getting better grades in other subjects in school. Parents are becoming involved and some are volunteering their time to the program. The exciting news for the village is the new soccer field scheduled to be completed this fall. The entire community is getting involved.

Read the story and share your thoughts!

Tags: Notah Begay, Pueblo of San Felipe, soccer

By Cindy Yurth,  The Navajo Times

The Navajo Code Talkers were instrumental in helping the United States defeat the Japanese during World War II. Young Navajo men created an ingenious form of secret code for communications that was based on the Navajo language.  Because the Japanese were never able to decipher the code,  many lives were saved and the United States was able to make advances to end the war.

There are many people (Indian and non-Indian) who are not aware of these brave men and their important role during the war. Code Talkers Bill Toledo of Torreon, N.M., and Frank Chee Willeto of  Pueblo Pintado, N.M., participated in a memoir-writing workshop at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. The goal of the program is to eventually obtain videos of the remaining Code Talkers and record their stories so that more people will learn about who the the Navajo Code Talkers are, and their important contribution during WW II.

Read the article, then share your thoughts with us.

Sources for further information about Code Talkers:

Navajo Code Talkers: World War II Fact Sheet

Logoi.com

OracleThinkQuest

Tags: Bill Toledo, Frank Chee Willeto, Japanese, Navajo, Navy Memorial, United States, Washington D. C., WWII

by Babette Herrmann, Indian Country Today

The focus of the Talking Feather site is predominantly about the positive effects of education, specifically the education we receive from our cultures and the formal training we receive in schools.

This is a wonderful article about a 96 year-old woman who has acquired both types of education and who has shared her time, knowledge and love with other people.

Agnes Dill, a member of the Isleta Pueblo Indians, spent over 70 years working with American Indian tribes. She recently received an honorary degree from the University of New Mexico, on May 15, the day of graduation!

What is more amazing is the fact that although Agnes Dill has had her share of difficulties in her life, she has persevered, and has managed to find the time to empower others.

During her travels in the ’70s, she encouraged Native women to obtain degrees in professional areas such as law, business and medicine, which were usually reserved for men during that time. Agnes Dill stated,

“Anything a man was doing, I tried to get women to do.”

Today, she continues to be an advocate for Indian causes, especially in the areas concerning Native health and culture.

As for her honorary doctorate from UNM, Mrs. Dill stated,

“I received this honor, but I don’t believe I received it for myself, it’s for all North American Indian people.”

Agnes Dill is an inspiration to us all.

Read this article!

Tags: 96 years-old, Agnes Dill, degree, Education, graduation, honorary, Isleta Pueblo Indians, University of New Mexico

by Amy Harmon, The New York Times

This is an interesting piece involving the Havasupai Indians, a tribe located  in Arizona, and a group of research scientists of Arizona State University.

It seems that in 1990, blood samples were taken from tribal members by scientists from ASU for the purpose of discovering the reason for the devastating rate of diabetes among the tribal members.

What tribal members didn’t know was that in addition to diabetes research, their blood was being used for tests involving various other types of genetic research. Tribal members stated that the additional research was done without their permission and sued ASU. Both tribal members and researchers have viewpoints of the incident.

Tribal council woman Carletta Tilousi stated:

“I’m not against scientific research,…I just want it to be done right. They used our blood for all these studies, people got degrees and grants, and they never asked our permission.”

On the other hand, the article states:

“Researchers and institutions that receive federal funds are required to receive “informed consent” from subjects, ensuring that they understand the risks and benefits before they participate. But such protections were designed primarily for research that carried physical risks, like experimental drug trials or surgery…

Is it necessary, for instance, to ask someone who has donated DNA for research on heart disease if that DNA can be used for Alzheimer’s or addiction research?”

Here is a statement from Dr. Markow, the geneticist held responsible for the improper use of the  testing material:

“The consent form was purposely simple,… given that English was a second language for many Havasupai, and few of the tribe’s 650 members had graduated from high school. They were always given the opportunity to ask questions, she said, and students were also instructed to explain the project and get written and verbal consent from donors.”

The seven-year legal battle resulted in the Havasupai receiving a cash settlement, and support from the university in finding funding for a much needed clinic and high school. In addition, the blood samples taken from the tribal members will be returned and buried with the remains of the members in a sacred ceremony.

There is more to this article, so be sure to read the entire piece, then leave us your thoughts on this issue. Your opinions are appreciated.

Tags: Arizona State University, blood samples, DNA samples, Havasupai Indians, scienctific research

By Elizabeth Abbott, The New York Times

It is known that Native Americans lived in every state in this country, including Narragansett, Rhode Island. New archaeological evidence of the Narragansett Indians’ presence in that area has been discovered.

Some people were  exhilarated by the discovery:

“The discovery of the Indian village has excited archaeologists because of the insights it may give into how Indians lived in pre-Columbian times. To find the remains of an entire village is rare, according to archaeologists; only one other village similar in scope and complexity has been found on the East Coast, in Virginia.”

Others,  such as the development firm, Downing Salt Pond Partners, who own the property, are not exactly jumping for joy over the discovery. The firm has  already built a shopping plaza and 26 single-family homes on the land, and  they intend to  build 53 additional houses.

“The state is seeking to create a public archaeology park out of private land that Downing had already started to develop, not only violating the developer’s private property rights but also causing it considerable financial harm, the lawsuit states.”

The company is claiming that the state does not have the right to take the private land owned by Downing without compensation. Unfortunately, the state does not have the money, and is appealing to the public for support. So, the question is do we value the preservation of history and traditon, or  the rights of  the private property owners.

We at Talking Feather believe in the old adage “knowledge is wisdom”-

In other words, leave the Narragansett Indian site as it stands.

Read the article and leave your comments which are appreciated.

Tags: archaeological evidence, Downing Salt Pond, Narraganseet, Narragansett Indians, Rhode Island

NPR, April 7, 2010

Wilma Mankiller former tribal Chief of  The Cherokee Nation  died on Tuesday, at the age of 64.  A memorial for  Chief Mankiller will be held outside the Cherokee Nation Cultural Grounds in Tahlequah, Ok. It is expected that thousands will attend the service. Details

NPR presents an excerpt from a 1993 interview with Wilma Mankiller. It is an opportunity for everyone to listen to this extraordinary woman discuss the high points and the low points of her life.

She  also discusses the history of her name, a brief background of her life growing up with her family, and why she decided to go into politics. She also talks about her near death encounter, and what she learned from the experience.

Another tribute to Wilma Mankiller:

Wilma Mankiller’s Trail of Triumph- By Paul Chaat Smith, April 8, 2010,  CNN

She will be remembered with love…

-Talking Feather-

Tags: Cherokee Nation, Chief, NPR interview, Oklahoma, Tahlequah, Wilma Mankiller

By  Jesse McKinley, Published: March 20, 2010, The New York Times

This is an interesting article about a small tribe with a big spirit. The Winnemem Wintu a small, poor tribe in San Francisco, embarked on a unusual journey. Two hundred members went to the Rakaia River, located in New Zealand, to apologize to the Chinook Salmon there.

The apology will be in the form of a ceremonial dance that the leaders say has not been performed in 60 years, which is the reason the fish are in short supply in California.

The tribe feels responsible for the loss of the fish because they allowed the building of the Shasta Dam, which in turn  blocked the Sacramento River, and in short cut off passage to the seasonal salmon runs.

“We’re going to atone for allowing them to build that dam,” said Mark Franco, the tribe’s headman. “We should have fought harder.”

The tribe worked hard to raise the $60,000 for the trip. There were some challenges to overcome before they could leave, such as Federal Express wanting $600 to ship their ceremonial drum. Since they couldn’t afford this, they checked it in at the airport with the rest of the religious paraphernalia, such as the sacred water, and ceremonial weapons.

interestingly, the tribe intends to do more than just  perform the ceremony.

The Francos say they intend to ask local fish and game officials if they can bring back some of New Zealand’s salmon eggs — once of California stock — back to the McCloud. “We have to do more than pray,” Ms. Sisk-Franco said. “We have to follow through.”

I applaud the Winnemem tribe for their strong belief in their culture, and for their intelligence in handling this matter. They have utilized both to  (we hope) win this battle.

A good article to read.

Tags: Chinook Salmon, New Zealand, Rakaia River, Sacrarmento River, Shasta Dam, Winnemem Wintu tribe

I’ve always been fascinated by the very colorful totem poles of the Indian tribes located in the Pacific Northwest. Tribes such as the Tlingit, Haida, and especially the Kwakiutl are famous for their majestic totems. Early missionaries thought totems were religious symbols and deities for worship, so the indigenous people were forced to burn their totems. Today, totem poles are used to tell stories about a tribes’ heritage.

I found a very interesting and informative site which features several artists who create totem poles today. There are photos demonstrating step by step details on how a totem was built at the Haida village of Skidegate, Haida Gwaii.

Enjoy.

Update (5/19/10)

There have been inquiries as to where pieces of this beautiful art work can be bought. Here are several sites. Please be careful and check thoroughly  before buying anything, as  we at  Talking Feather  can not guarantee the legitimacy of the sites.

The first choice: The Path Gallery, lists artist Wayne Edenshaw, who assisted with the carving at Skidegate.

http://www.pathgallery.com/itoolkit.asp?pg=products&specific=joppjpq8

http://www.spiritsofthewestcoast.com/gallery/haida-art.asp

http://www.freespiritgallery.ca/

Tags: Art, colorful, Culture, Haida Gwaii, Kwakiutl, majestic poles, Skidegate, Tingit, totem poles